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Philips Hue introduces Play Screen Sync, a camera that analyses the image shown on the TV and synchronises smart lighting with it. The effect is similar to the well-known Ambilight system on Philips TVs, but you don't need a TV from that brand for it to work. Importantly, a similar result was already possible before. However, that required the Hue Play HDMI Sync Box, a separate adapter. That solution couldn't analyse images from apps running directly on the TV. The new camera solves that problem. It mounts above the screen, and the device analyses what is being displayed. This means the lights can react to the entire screen content, regardless of its source.
In Poland, the Hue Play Screen Sync costs 539.99 zł (~200AUD). The camera is intended for TVs with a diagonal of up to 85 inches. Coloured Hue lights are required for it to work, and Philips recommends using the Hue Bridge for more advanced setups.
The new product has caused an interesting stir in the Philips family. Philips Hue and Philips TVs are not part of the same company. Philips' lighting business is run by Signify, while the TVs are handled by TP Vision. The TVs use Ambilight technology, and the independently operated Philips Hue lets you create a similar effect on TVs from other manufacturers. Samsung and LG don't even need a camera. Philips Hue offers a paid app called Hue Sync TV, which analyses the picture directly on the TV. That means it works with apps like Netflix and Disney+ without any trouble.
Philips wasn't the first
It's also worth mentioning that Hue wasn't the first when it comes to syncing a camera with an LED strip, and products similar to their new offering are already on the market. One example is Govee, which also uses a camera to analyse the image and sync it with an LED strip. It's also a cheaper alternative to the relatively pricey Philips option. Some kits made up of an LED strip and a camera can already be found for a few hundred zloty. By comparison, a similar kit from Philips Hue would cost over a thousand zloty.
The new Hue Play Screen Sync isn't a revolution, but it definitely provides a more comfortable user experience and is more versatile than previous solutions.
Sources: Philips Hue, FlatpanelsHD
